The draft is just over two weeks away, and the opinions from the experts are still widely varied about which direction the Ravens will go in the first round.
Depending on the draftnik, the projections are that the Ravens will most likely address needs at safety, inside linebacker, wide receiver or offensive line with pick No. 32.
Here's a look at the latest round of mock drafts:
ESPN, Mel KiperPosted April 4
S Jonathan Cyprien, Florida InternationalSenior, 6-foot-0, 217 pounds; 93 tackles, 3 interceptions, 8 passes defended, 1 forced fumble
"Ed Reed is now in Houston, but even with the addition of Michael Huff, the Ravens will still be looking for a versatile safety. Cyprien is an experienced player who can step in immediately. He's a smart player, takes good routes to the ball and is an effective tackler in space. This is a deep safety class, so the Ravens could certainly go another route here, particularly if one of the interior linebackers (Minter? Te'o?) is still around at this slot."
ESPN, Todd McShayPosted April 4
WR Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech
Senior; 6-0, 204; 104 receptions, 1,392 yards and 13 touchdowns
"This was a tough one to project. The Ravens could go with ILB Kevin Minter to replace the retired Ray Lewis, or with a safety like Matt Elam, D.J. Swearinger or John Cyprien to fill the void left by Ed Reed's departure. There are a lot of options, but I like Patton's ability to step into the role previously filled by Anquan Boldin. He's not a carbon copy of Boldin, but Patton is a little faster and more athletic, and could be a reliable complement to No. 1 receiver Torrey Smith. Baltimore finally got its passing game firing on all cylinders last season with QB Joe Flacco distributing the ball all over the field, and bringing in another possession-type receiver makes some sense. If not, a nose tackle like Alabama's Jesse Williams could be on the radar."
FOX, Peter SchragerPosted April 2
ILB Kevin Minter, LSU
Senior, 6-2, 244; 130 tackles, 1 interception, 4 sacks
"The Ravens defense will look different in 2013, with new additions like Elvis Dumervil, Marcus Spears, and Chris Canty joining the 2012 Super Bowl winners. I don't believe Manti Te'o is worthy of a first-round pick, but I like Minter. A lot. I'm not a huge fan of drafting middle linebackers in the first round, but Minter brings the goods — and though he will never be Ray Lewis (or even Dannell Ellerbe) — he can start right away and make plays for the defending champions."
Sports Illustrated, Don Banks
Posted April 3
ILB Kevin Minter, LSU
"The Ravens could easily put this spot up for auction and hope some quarterback-needy team comes after it, in pursuit of E.J. Manuel, Matt Barkley or Ryan Nassib. But if they stick at No. 32, Minter helps offset the departure of both starting inside linebackers, Ray Lewis and Dannell Ellerbe."
Sporting News, Eric Galko
Posted April 8
CB Johnthan Banks, Mississippi StateSenior, 6-2, 185; 63 tackles, 4 interceptions, 11 passes defended, 1 forced fumble
"Cornerback isn't the Ravens' biggest need, but they'll take the best player available, per usual. Banks is easily the best corner still on the board and could give this team an instant starter."
National Football Post, Russ Lande
Posted April 3
ILB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame
"The Ravens have no returning starters at inside linebacker after Ray Lewis retired and Dannell Ellerbe left as a free agent. So while Te'o is not a rare athlete or elite prospect, he is a good, solid football player with the athleticism to be a three down linebacker."
NFL.com, Bucky Brooks
Posted April 8
S Matt ElamJunior; 5-10, 208; 76 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 4 interceptions, 1 forced fumble
"GM Ozzie Newsome has a knack for finding productive players at the end of the first round. Though Elam lacks ideal size for the safety position, he is a hard-nosed, physical player with excellent instincts."
Los Angeles Times, Sam Farmer
Posted April 6
ILB Manti Te'o
"Yes, there was the 'catfish' controversy, the slow 40 times, the lousy performance in the BCS championship game . . . but T'eo remains highly regarded by many NFL teams. The Ravens, who need an inside linebacker, can afford the dice roll."
CBSSports.com, Rob Rang
Posted April 8
OG Justin Pugh, Syracuse
Junior; 6-4, 307; started nine games, first-team all-conference
"The play of veteran left tackle Bryant McKinnie played a critical role in Baltimore's Super Bowl run but the Ravens are not willing to break the bank to guarantee the 10-year veteran returns. Pugh has shorter arms that scouts would prefer at left tackle but the 6-5, 307-pounder has the footwork and experience there to plug and play."
ProFootballTalk.com, Mike Florio
Posted April 7
S Matt Elam, Florida
